A Banyan Tree In Pakistan Has Been Under Arrest For A Century

In 1898, a banyan tree located in Landi Kotal army cantonment area in present-day Pakistan was ‘arrested’ on the orders of a British Army officer. The tree’s punishment continues. It is still tied with a chain, probably to ensure that it doesn’t try to escape.

You might be inclined to think otherwise, but this is not a joke.

It has a plaque attached to it explaining the history behind it. This is what you will read on the plaque.

‘I AM UNDER ARREST.’

One evening a British officer, heavily drunk, thought that I was moving from my original location and ordered Mess Sergeant to arrest me. Since then I am under arrest.

Over a hundred years ago, British army officer James Squid ordered the tree to be arrested one day when he got so drunk he thought it was trying to run away.

Now, years later, it stands in the same spot with a board hanging on it that reads: “I am under arrest.”